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Is your organisation planning a firework display or bonfire party this year? If so, then we have put together a little guide which should help ensure both staff and public safety during November the 5th celebrations.
So how do I successfully plan my event?
• Running an exciting, yet safe, display takes a lot of work, so try to share the load by planning ahead.
• Set up a committee whose members can each take responsibility for a particular area (including one person to be in charge of all safety arrangements).
• Be clear on who will do what and when.
• Be sure each member has a photocopy of this guide and follows the advice.
• If possible, try to recruit at least one person with previous experience of firework displays.
• Remember – fireworks not marked with the words “complies with BS7114, Part 2 19882” are suitable for use by event professionals only.
Which authorities should be kept informed of my plans?
November the 5th and New Year’s Eve are very busy times for local authorities so give them an advance warning of your plans. You should contact:
• The Local Fire and Rescue Service
• First Aid Service
• The Local Police (and check if you need a storage licence)
What can I do in advance, to ensure that the event runs smoothly?
• Arrange for your fireworks to be delivered and stored securely and circulate the manufacturer’s instructions to your team.
• Arrange for you and your team to be trained in the various tasks for the night, including all emergency drills.
• Arrange for first aid posts to be manned by qualified persons. Borrow or hire specialist clothing (bibs, jackets etc) to identify you and your team on the night.
• Arrange some form of public address system – as a safety measure not just for commentary.
• Arrange for fire extinguishers, buckets of water, and buckets of sand aa well as metal litter bins to be available on the night.
• Check that plenty of torches will be available on the night with full batteries.
• Publicise the fact that spectators are not allowed to bring their own fireworks (including sparklers) and will not be admitted if they do so.
• Prepare all necessary signs.
• Make absolutely sure that you’ll have enough people available on the night (including extra cover in case of illness).
• Draw up a detailed checklist of tasks and indicate who is to be responsible for each one.
• Check whether you are adequately insured to cover any firework-related injuries.
• Vet any traders you intend to allow on the site.
• Animals can be terrified by fireworks. Warn your neighbours and local farmers in advance so they can keep pets indoors and take other necessary precautions.
Where should I have my fireworks event?
You should choose a larger, clear and well-known area free from obstructions, well away from buildings, trees and hazards like overhead cables, with as many safe entrances and exits as possible. These must be away from the firing area and dropping zone.
• Make sure that all entrances are well lit, clearly sign-posted and kept free from obstructions.
• Clear away any undergrowth or long grass.
• Have plenty of metal litter bins around the site.
• Make sure you can cater properly for disabled spectators.
• Watch out for animals likely to be housed nearby.
• Allow at least 50m x 20m for your firing area.
• Beyond this, you will need a dropping zone for spent fireworks of 100m x 50m in the downwind direction.
• Spectators should be kept on the opposite side to the dropping zone at least 25m away from the firing area.
What else needs to be arranged?
Falling fireworks can cause damage so site any designated car parking well away from the display area and dropping zone upwind of the display. Signpost any car parking areas clearly and make sure that the entrance is separate from pedestrian access. Do not permit parking anywhere else.
Proper crowd control is essential and needs good planning as well.
• Arrange for some stewards to be responsible for just this – at least one steward for every 250 spectators. Their job won’t be finished until the display is over and the site is clear and made safe.
• Your stewards should be easy to identify, perhaps with fluorescent bibs or jackets.
• Be certain that your team know what to do in an emergency and have practised their drills.
• Spectators must not be allowed into your display area. If they do encroach, stop the display immediately. Prepare and erect signs to clearly show the area.
• Beware of overcrowding – seek advice from the Police and follow it.
• Fireworks and alcohol do not mix. This will make crowd control more difficult. Do not permit alcohol and none of the organisers should have alcoholic drinks.
• Do not allow spectators to enter the site with their own fireworks (even sparklers).
• Make sure that there are signs explaining this at all entrances.
So what should we be aware of when letting off the actual fireworks?
• Take great care at all times.
• Recruit people with previous experience of firework displays and have as people as possible actually involved with the fireworks.
• Do not allow smoking by your team when fireworks are being handled or at any time during the display.
• Unpack fireworks with great care and well away from any open fire, naked flame or flammable material. Remember that they are fragile and can easily be broken. Keep fireworks in a secure box which is kept closed.
• Before lighting any firework, read the instructions on it carefully (by torchlight).
• Make sure that the wind and the display are angled away from spectators.
• For lighting display type fireworks, a device called a Portfire is often provided by the manufacturer. Use Portfires when available and always light fireworks at arm’s length.
• Keep unused Portfires in a metal or wooden box and never carry them in pockets.
• Alternative forms of safety lighters, such as a slow match, are often available.
• Never use matches or lighters for lighting fireworks at a display. If any firework fails to go off, don’t go back to it. It could still be live and could go off in your face. Half an hour is the absolute minimum time to wait before you consider approaching it again.
• A sudden change of wind could cause aerial fireworks to fall dangerously among spectators. In very windy weather, you should consider putting off the display altogether however disappointing that might be.
So that is fireworks, but what about bonfires?
Bonfires need a lot of organising and can be hazardous. Many firework displays are still great successes without bonfires. If, after careful consideration, you decide to have a bonfire, make one person responsible for it from early planning to final clearing up. Don’t site it too near our display or firework storage area.
• Never use flammable liquids like paraffin or petrol to get it going as this can result in uncontrolled spread of fire or explosion.
• Check immediately before lighting that there’s no animal or even a young child inside.
• Never put fireworks on a bonfire, even if they have failed to go off.
• Don’t burn dangerous items or rubbish such as aerosols, paint tins or foam-filled furniture.
• Remove any rubbish from your bonfire area in advance so there’s nothing that can be thrown onto the fire on the night.
What else do we need to consider post-fireworks?
The work for you and your team doesn’t finish when the last firework goes off:
• Spectators need to be cleared from the site
• The bonfire needs to be put out completely.
• Spent firework cases must be gathered. Spot used fireworks with a torch and wear strong gloves.
• Don’t allow children to collect firework cases.
• Burning the spent cases is potentially dangerous and should be done with great care and only after all your spectators have gone.
• If any firework looks as if it hasn’t gone off after at least half an hour, douse it with a bucket of water and ask the Fire Brigade for advice.
Finally…
Have fun! As much as these events pose a lot of safety issues people should be aware of, there is no reason why this should take over from the nights enjoyment! Perfect planning can lead to a much more exciting night!
Jo-Rosie is writing on behalf of Active Fire Management, a well known fire safety consultants providing www.activefiremanagement.co.uk/>fire safety services across the UK providing an independent, personalised, flexible and professional fire consultancy service at reasonable cost for all aspects of www.activefiremanagement.co.uk/safety-courses>fire safety and training requirements.
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